Posted By John Congemi On March 13, 2012 @ 2:17 pm In Football | 1 Comment

[1]The first thing that comes to mind when talking the cornerback position is playmakers! Guys that can truly change the way a offense attacks a defense. When you have a dominant player at this position, it makes an offense take notice of where that person lines up each and every play. It sometimes limits your offensive schemes and alters where and when to attack, unless you have a receiver that can match up with an equal skill set! Some would make the argument that the Miami Dolphins are close to having a player that displays some of these attributes. Let’s take a look at what the current Dolphins roster looks like going into the 2012 season.

DOLPHINS CORNERBACK SITUATION:

Let’s start with the player who some would argue is a true shutdown corner and that’s Vontae Davis. He finished the season with 43 total tackles, but that’s not what guys with his pedigree are known for doing. Davis led the team with four interceptions and was tied for first with eight passes defended. Once Davis regained his health and focus, he played like a corner that could dominate anyone on any day! Sean Smith occupies the opposite side of the field from Davis and finished fifth on the team with 60 total tackles on the year. At 6’3”, 214 pounds, Smith brings a different skill set than Davis. His physical style allows him not only to be effective on the corner, but occasionally he will drift inside and play the slot receiver as well! Will Allen is the secondary’s veteran and will be a unrestricted free agent on March 13. I believe that Miami will look to get younger at this position, and with the way Allen has performed last season, he will get a lot of interest on the open market. The reason I feel this way is due to the progression of rookie Jimmy Wilson and second-year player Nolan Carroll. Both Wilson and Carroll can play multiple positions in the secondary and both can be physical in the run game!

POTENTIAL FREE AGENTS: CORNERBACK

Brandon Carr: The Kansas City Chiefs have already signed cornerback Stanford Routt, which could signal the end of the road for Carr. I believe if the Chiefs allow Carr to hit the open market, there will be multiple suitors waiting to sign him to the dotted line. His skill set would allow him to move into most starting lineups in the NFL!

Carlos Rogers: Rogers signed a one-year deal in 2011 with the 49ers and had a terrific season on a stellar defense. His stock will naturally rise given those circumstances and teams probably took notice, putting him in line for a big pay day!

Cortland Finnegan: Finnegan might be known more for his fighting incident with Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson, but he’s a player that has never shied away from the spotlight! There are plenty of teams that will covet this feisty type of player, not only for that attribute, but his skill set as well!

Tracy Porter: Terrific man-to-man cover guy and those are the free-agent cornerbacks that will demand the big dollars. Some might say that Porter lacks consistency at the position, but the 26-year-old should find a new home starting on the edge in 2012!